Sneak Peek at Front Lawn Removal Project

Favorite extra-large adirondack chairs with loads of character (read::deteriorating) have been the seating focus in the circle garden since its creation barely over a year ago. Prior to that their comfortable bottoms rested on the pool deck for many years. A gift from my mom originally they have given us their best years and even now except for just a bit of rot on a couple of slats they remain sturdy making them worthy of a place in the garden. We've found a new home for them. They have been moved to add a cozy feel and warmth to the newly carved out pathway around the front gardens. (To give you better perspective: approximatley 10 feet behind the chairs is my neighbor's driveway and front yard). You may remember the front lawn renovation project from the summer of 2009 when the perimeter St. Augustine turf was removed and replaced with shrubs and ground covers. Since then I've been antsy to take out the rest of the lawn as designs for replacing it swirl in my head and urge me into action.

The timing was finally right this spring. It is not the easiest job in the garden (understatement). I've been working on it in bits and pieces since February. It is 99.9% completed... except for a few tweaks. All the area you see in front of the chairs was grass.

So this is the sneak peek. Lots more photos and explanation to follow. Meanwhile back in the circle garden we couldn't go without seating. As you probably know the circle garden serves as the hub of the back gardens. Trails lead away from the circle like spokes to the wildflower garden, the tropical pathway, the perennial gardens, and the shade garden.

For the first time I've strayed away from my primary choice of unstained cedar for the new seating. The natural graying process as cedar weathers is supremely appealing to me and it complements the naturalistic setting of my garden. For a switcheroo I chose black painted cedar adirondacks to pair with the blue-glazed containers I'm also fond of. If you let your eye move to the right in the circle (and of the chairs) there are more blue-glazed containers to cool your view on a humid summer day. Oh, yeah, it's not summer yet. But it surely feels like it out there.

Happy gardening, friends. I'm off to finish up some tweaking, and pruning, and edible garden attention, and mulching and watering ...

Keep smiling, Meems

Pentas and Butterflies

The color red is one of my favorite colors. Butterflies like it as much as I do. They seem to be especially attracted to the Pentas lanceolata, 'Ruby Red'. This one is resting on a chair while others are being put into the ground.

Over the years all colors of Egyptian Star Clusters, Pentas lanceolata have been purchased and grown here at Hoe and Shovel. Cuttings are taken and plants are multiplied easily.

These plants work especially well here in Florida for year round satisfaction. They are non-stop bloomers and they can take the humid, hot summers. That makes them a hardy, Florida-friendly choice highly recommended for sunny to partially sunny locations.

They do, however, freeze to the ground when the temperatures reach below 32. But, not to worry, often times they will return when pruned back to new growth.

Freezing to the ground was the case for all of my Pentas this winter. When the garden center got in a fresh shipment of red ones this week all my resolve to wait for mine to return was immediately erased from the sensible side of my brain.

Too easy. Buy more and plant them in more places. That means waiting for the old ones can still be done and buying new ones is justified. It works. Try it. :-)

The first day of spring arrived in the most glorious way.

The day was stunning. It was the kind of day that beckons all humans to get outdoors and breathe in the beauty of a new season. Touch the earth. Thank God to be alive. Pay attention to the works of His hands.

It was that sort with crisp cool air in the morning, clear skies and sunshine all day that draws every gardener and non-gardener out of their coccoons of winter to notice the wonders of nature around us.

The butterflies noticed, too. They showed up as if they knew it was the first day of spring.

This Giant Swallowtail Heraclides cresphontes flitted around on this one plant for so long it made me wonder if it was possible to empty a flower of its nectar.

Happy spring! Get out and make the most it! Meems

day trip

saturday hubby and i made the most of the cloudy, dreary weather we had here all day long. i took a break from gardening (until that evening anyway) and we drove north to citrus county for a day trip. after stopping for breakfast we landed at the homosassa river and made a stop into the wildlife state park.

recently i've added a new fascination to my "interests list" which now includes photographing natural wildlife. it can be challenging at times but some of the photos i took in the park were easy-peasy since the subjects were right in front of me. all the animals at this particular park have been rescued due to some circumstance that prevents them from being in the wild. The birdlife for the most part, although banded, are free to come and go. The park offers a perfect habitat for them so on this drizzly rainy morning there was an abundance of activity. the park is home to florida panthers, black bears, manatees with an underwater observatory in the spring, bobcats, deer, otter and even a hippo. the birdlife included all types of shore birds, waterfowl and birds of prey.

be prepared for lots of photos... of course these will only be some highlights.


the exotic flamingo

wood storks

bald eagle with his flag proudly displayed

along the river there was more birdlife ... these are the critters that i captured hanging out close to the park but not in the park.

fulvous whistling duck

great blue heron nest

pileated woodpecker

double-crested cormorant

a couple of anhinga's drying their wings

on the way home we detoured off 19 down some side roads with a stop at bayport and pine island. it was a florida scenic view of marshland and beach. this was my favorite sight captured there.

gulf fritillary enjoying the beach daisies

i don't always opt for the fun stuff. sometimes it is easier to keep right on working through the weekend. when i do give myself a break from the usual, i realize how important and vital it is. taking time for a fun pastime, amusement or hobby is good for the soul and helps to keep us healthy don't you think? what was your diversion from the normal this weekend?